News
Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola Commemorates 2026 IWD, Joins Call For Gender Equality*
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kemi Olokode-Ayelabola, Chairperson of Asiwaju Renewed Hope (ARH’27), a support group for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection has extended her warm greetings to women across the globe including those in Nigeria to celebrate the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day (IWD).
As a renowned advocate for women’s empowerment and education, Kemi emphasizes the importance of gender equality and supporting women’s advancement. Her initiatives have made a significant impact on Nigerian communities, particularly in empowering young/old women and promoting family values, national growth and cohesion.
She’s again this year joining other influential women and global organizations in commemorating women’s achievements and advocating for continued progress towards a more equitable and just society. For her March 8, of every year is special and must be uniquely dedicated to honor and push every agenda that caters to the interest and advancement of girl-child and female gender as a whole, irrespective of their age, status or background.
A statement credited to her which was made available to both local and international media on Thursday underscores the significance of IWD 2026, themed “Give to Gain”
Her words, “It is remarkably important and necessary to specifically focus on gender inclusion and economic empowerment for the women across the globe and my sincere appreciation goes to all well meaning individuals who support women’s causes and protect their dignity and rights at workplace and in community. More pointedly, the story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights and this resolve must never be compromised. Governments at local, sub-national and national levels must embrace gender-friendly legislation to give women their place of pride where necessary and applicable.
“While I acknowledge the challenges faced by women, including socio-economic factors and vulnerability, I must also encourage them to remain resilient and focused on their goal. However and impressively the 2026 theme did greater justice to the advocacy for women empowerment, tagged “Give to Gain.”
“As individuals, giving support means calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias, celebrating women’s success, and more, are necessary ingredients that underscores the essence of 2026 IWD theme. Sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is also key and must never be underestimated. Everyday, everywhere, we all have to actively give our support to gain gender equality and when we give, we must give from the heart, giving requires open hearts and minds. It also reinforces a sense of connection and purpose. This creates an important ripple effect for spreading positive and rewarding impact.
“This is equally a clarion call for all stakeholders never to rest on their oars in deepening and promoting gender equality, put an end to abduction of girls in some part of Nigeria, improve education and healthcare for women and girls among other important things.
“Permit me to use this medium to reachout and appeal to all stakeholders in joining the call-to-action for all IWD events to incorporate an element of women-focused fundraising. These well curated IWD events should deliberately provide a useful opportunity for organizations in the IWD, giving ecosystem to raise awareness, showcase impact, and call for donations. IWD event managers at large worldwide, nonprofits to local grassroots groups should further increase commitment to invite nonprofit speakers and guests, exhibit nonprofit displays, distribute nonprofit resources, and establish ongoing giving to attain significant feats with purpose-driven paradigm shift.
“I am also using this opportunity most humbly, to encourage others to give within their own spheres of influence by sharing IWD “Give To Gain” image and statement across traditional and social media throughout the year using the #GiveToGain hashtag.
“It won’t also be out of place for groups or organizations to mark 2026 IWD in whatever manner they deem most relevant, engaging, and impactful for their specific context, objectives, and audiences. IWD is about gender equality in all its forms. For some, IWD is about fighting for women’s rights. For others, IWD is about reinforcing key commitments, while for some, IWD is about celebrating success. And for others, IWD means festive gatherings and parties. Whatever choices are made, all choices matter, and all choices are valid. All activity helps contribute to, and forms part of, the thriving global IWD movement that is focused on gender equality. IWD is a truly inclusive, diverse, and eclectic moment of impact worldwide and thankfully Nigeria is identified with its generic essence and milestones in the comity of nations.
“Together, let’s “Give To Gain” for gender equality. May God bless us all and happy anniversary”
Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.
US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf Sunday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend, warning that any Iranian attack boats that challenged the blockade would be destroyed.
The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier, with mediator Pakistan and Gulf state Qatar continuing calls for it to be respected as diplomatic efforts continue.
Guterres on Monday called on “all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the United States blocked passage through the critical waterway.
The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.
Iravani said the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a second letter, the UN envoy called on Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has distanced himself from recent media reports linking him to certain political aspirations, saying the comments were made without his knowledge or authorisation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said the remarks had been attributed to an unnamed individual described in media reports as his political associate, and that he had no hand in them.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement read.
“He did not authorise such comments.”
The disclaimer pointedly underscored El-Rufai’s reputation for speaking his mind directly, with the statement noting that he had been known throughout his public life for the frank articulation of his views.
“He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement added, warning that any future communication from the former governor would come directly from him or through his designated spokesperson.
El-Rufai did not identify the associate in question, nor did the statement specify the nature of the political aspirations that had been reported.
However, the swift and emphatic denial suggests the former governor was keen to prevent any impression that the comments reflected his current political thinking or intentions.
JAMB declares readiness for 2026 UTME, urges parents to protest admission violations
The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which the positions and affiliations of prominent political figures are under intense media and public scrutiny.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, remains one of the most closely watched political figures in northern Nigeria.
His next political move — including which party platform he may adopt ahead of 2027 — has been a subject of widespread speculation.
The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspected vandals involved in the destruction and theft of transformer components belonging to Yobe State Television at Garin Alkali Booster Station.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Command, the arrest was made on April 14, 2026, by its operatives stationed in Garin Alkali while acting on credible intelligence.
“The arrested suspects are Muhammad Auwali, a.k.a. Aburare, 51, Inusa Lawan, 53, and Hassan Ibrahim, 27, all of Bursari and Gashua axis, Bade LGA. One accomplice identified as Ozu, is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects criminally conspired and vandalised a transformer located at the YTV Booster Station, Garin Alkali, Bursari LGA.
“The suspects dismantled the transformer and sold part of the metal components”, it said.
The Command added that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to selling some of the vandalised transformer parts to Hassan Ibrahim for the sum of N250,000, out of which N150,000 had already been paid.
“Investigation is in progress, after which the suspects will be charged in court for prosecution”, the police command said.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kamfani Jibrin, in the statement, warned scrap metal dealers against purchasing suspected stolen items and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in protecting critical public infrastructure.
He stressed that anyone found involved in such unlawful activities will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
Iran slams US blockade as ‘grave violation of sovereignty’
El-Rufai distances self from comments on political aspirations attributed to associate
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